The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation [BEDC] has allocated $300,000 in funds for small, short-term loans – $2,000 to $20,000 – to facilitate local business opportunities developing or expanding as a result of the America’s Cup being held in Bermuda between May and June 2017.

“The Local Biz Opps Micro Loan product is available to all small and medium-sized businesses, island wide, including vendors and those businesses located in designated Economic Empowerment Zones,” the announcement said.

“The product was developed in response to an identified gap in the lending market in order to assist Bermuda’s small and medium-sized businesses scale up and meet the variety of needs of visitors coming for the 35th America’s Cup.

“Business needs were identified during the Local Biz Opps public meetings held in February and March by the ACBDA. To help meet these needs, we have created this short-term financial product, to assist businesses with inventory purchases, cost of goods sold, service, contracts, or direct costs for capital items directly related to meeting the consumer needs rapidly developing because of Bermuda hosting the America’s Cup.

“The Micro Loan product differs from a regular loan in the following ways:

Approved loans are 100% guaranteed by the BEDC

The interest rate is fixed at 4.5% for vendors and EEZ Businesses and 5% for all other small and medium-sized businesses

The applications are processed by BEDC Officers and approved by the Executive Director

It is short-term – repayment terms will be negotiated between 1 and 4 months with all funds to be repaid by July 31st 2017 [30 calendar days after AC35 ends]

It is immediate – processing, approval, and disbursement of funds is usually within 10 business days from receipt of complete applications”

Minister of Economic Development Dr. Grant Gibbons stated, “The Local Biz Opps Microloan will serve as a much needed financial resource for existing and potential entrepreneurs to fund the business needs that will be arising from the America’s Cup.

“As the Minister of Economic Development, I understand the importance of continuously developing local entrepreneurs. I believe in innovative products like this that easily support and facilitate business development thereby contributing to the growth of our local economy.”

BEDC Chairman Nicholas Kempe said, “We are confident that this product will offer great value to our Island’s local entrepreneurs and help to catalyse them into action with regards to being ready for AC35.

“Contrary to popular belief, there is a great number of smaller business opportunities developing that should require minimal overhead to bring to fruition and this microloan will provide much-needed assistance in this regard.”

BEDC Executive Director Erica Smith noted: “BEDC is continuously creating innovative products and services to assist local business owners in starting, sustaining, and growing their business endeavours.

“This microloan continues this trend. We are pleased to be in a position to offer this financial product to help our local businesses take advantage of AC35 business opportunities.”

The Local Biz Opps Micro Loan product is available until June 30th 2017. Interested business owners should contact the BEDC directly by calling 292-5570 or by email at info@bedc.bm. Additional information can also be found at www.bedc.bm.

Commentors such as yourself really need to go up to the college and take a course on economics. There will be no money for schools or seniors if there isn’t a healthy economy to facilities monetary flow. We need business to allow for such things through tax revenues of products and the business itself.

Hope you learned something.

If you’re still unclear of how a capitalistic economy works please use google and educate yourself